Veteran politician and Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong, second right, celebrates with executives as they officially launch the new political party at the TPI Building yesterday.

Veteran politician Snoh Thienthong, who had nowhere to express his feelings since he defected from the ruling party, took the occasion of the launch of his Pracharaj Party yesterday to reminisce at great length about politics and his disillusionment with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The leader of the former Wang Nam Yen faction of the Thai Rak Thai Party served as its chief adviser until he parted ways after a severe conflict with leader Thaksin.

Snoh said yesterday that supporting Thaksin was the most disappointing experience in his life. "He has extreme ability but lacks maturity," he said.

Snoh said he joined up with Thaksin in 2000 because the former telecom tycoon told him that he wanted to repay his debt to the country, but Thaksin had proven that he did not do as he said. "Since I was born, I've never seen anyone who is as untrustworthy as Thaksin," Snoh said.

He told the party members that it was a historic day for him. After 30 years on the political road, he had never been accused of involvement in any scandal and had never exploited his friends, he said.

He also dismissed comments that the new party was a collection of frustrated individuals and denied that it sought to take revenge on anyone.

"But we formed the party while the country is facing a leadership crisis, so we want to resolve the problem of a leader," he said.

Snoh spent almost two hours on his speech, and didn't look like he was ever going to stop. Several members dozed off and some executives standing behind him at the podium often looked at their watches.

He introduced his party executives, including businessman-turned-politician Prachai Leophairatana as the party secretary-general.

The Pracharaj Party's office is on the 18th floor of TPI Tower, owned by Prachai, the former CEO of Thai Petrochemical Industry.

Snoh only gave the party's policies passing mention.

However, before his speech a party official showed a video on the party's mission, beliefs and objectives.

Deputy party leader Pramuan Ruchanaseree, who sat beside Snoh, tried to signal a spokesman at the podium to keep track of the time according to the fixed schedule. But Pramuan's efforts failed because Snoh kept on talking.

Fortunately a group of senators led by Kraisak Chonhavan entered the meeting room and wished Snoh success in the upcoming election, so Snoh cut off his speech.

Pramuan motioned to the emcee again to bring the ceremony to an end.

The party's executives held hands and lifted their arms

high in a pose for news photographers.

A booklet on the party's policies was handed out to visitors.

The atmosphere at the affair was festive, with well-wishers, businessmen and politicians opposed to Thaksin - such as Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban - arriving to offer their congratulations.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation